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Lori Tan Chinn

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BIO

Lori Tan Chinn's career spans stage, television, and film. She is widely recognized for her portrayal of Mei Chang on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black and for playing Awkwafina’s grandmother on Comedy Central’s Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.



Chinn began her career on Broadway, appearing as Miss Higa Jiga in Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen. In addition to her work as an actor, she has had a distinguished career as a dancer, performing with the Katherine Dunham Company and studying and presenting African dance under the guidance of Syvilla Fort.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Half Time Half Time
[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
East Coast Premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse, 2018
Mae
Gotta Dance Gotta Dance
[Chicago]
Chicago Pre-Broadway Production, 2015
M. Butterfly
[Broadway]
1988
Comrade Chin
Suzuki
Shu Fang
Comrade Chin
Shu Fang
Suzuki
G. R. Point
[Broadway]
1979
Mama-San
North Atlantic
[Off-Off-Broadway]
Showcase, 1977
Performer
Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1970
Okinawan/American
Miss Higa Jiga
Okinawan/American
Miss Higa Jiga

Movies

Author! Author!
[ 1982 ] Mrs. Woo
She-Devil
[ 1989 ] Vesta Rose Woman
What About Bob?
[ 1991 ] Bus Driver
Glengarry Glen Ross
[ 1992 ] Coat Check Girl
Living in Oblivion
[ 1995 ] Costume Designer
Ransom
[ 1996 ] Woman on Street #3
Mickey Blue Eyes
[ 1999 ] Chinese Restaurant Owner
From Other Worlds
[ 2004 ] Mrs. Kim
Year of the Fish
[ 2007 ] Shuk Yee
The Guitar
[ 2008 ] Mrs. Tzu
Final Recipe
[ 2013 ] Mrs. Wang
Chloe and Theo
[ 2015 ] Landlady
Turning Red
[ 2022 ] Auntie Chen
Kung Fu Panda 4
[ 2024 ] Granny Boar
31 Candles
[ 2025 ] Jaya
31 Candles
[ 2025 ] Jaya

TV Shows

Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens
Grandma
Orange Is the New Black
Mei Chang
Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld
Gugu
A Man on the Inside
Susan Yang

Awards and Nominations


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical

Lori Tan ChinnSouth Pacific

Videos

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News


Photos: DANCERS OVER 40 Honors Five Longtime Members 17th Annual Legacy Awards Photo
Photos: DANCERS OVER 40 Honors Five Longtime Members 17th Annual Legacy Awards
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 11, 2025

Dancers Over 40 held its 17th Annual Legacy Awards and Holiday Dinner, honoring five members whose careers span decades of contribution to the dance and theatre community. Check out photos of the event.
Photos: DO40's CHICAGO 50th Anniversary Concert At 54 Below Photo
Photos: DO40's CHICAGO 50th Anniversary Concert At 54 Below
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 20, 2025

Dancers Over 40 began their fourth decade as an organization with a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of CHICAGO; past, present and future, honoring Bob Fosse, Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera, Jerry Orbach and Ann Reinking, with original and revival cast members, hosted by Golden Globe nominee and former revival Roxie Hart, Marilu Henner. Check out photos from the show.
Mary Steenburgen Joins Ted Danson in Netflix's A MAN ON THE INSIDE Season 2 Photo
Mary Steenburgen Joins Ted Danson in Netflix's A MAN ON THE INSIDE Season 2
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 28, 2025

Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Mary Steenburgen has joined Season 2 of Netflix's critically acclaimed comedy series A Man on the Inside, starring alongside real-life husband Ted Danson.
A MAN ON THE INSIDE Renewed for Season 2 at Netflix Photo
A MAN ON THE INSIDE Renewed for Season 2 at Netflix
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 16, 2024

Netflix has announced that the critically acclaimed comedy series A Man on the Inside has been renewed for a second season, slated to premiere in 2025.
Video: Netflix Drops First Trailer for A MAN ON THE INSIDE Starring Ted Danson Photo
Video: Netflix Drops First Trailer for A MAN ON THE INSIDE Starring Ted Danson
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 28, 2024

Netflix has released the first trailer for  A Man on the Inside, a new comedy series from creator Mike Schur and starring Ted Danson. A Man on the Inside premieres this November 21, 2024 on Netflix. Watch the trailer now!
Photos: Alec Mapa Returns to the Laurie Beechman Theatre Photo
Photos: Alec Mapa Returns to the Laurie Beechman Theatre
by Bruce Glikas - Sep 24, 2024

Actor and comedian Alec Mapa just returned to the Laurie Beechman Theater with the World Premiere of his new standup show HA! PENIS! Check out photos from inside the big night here!
Photos: Karen Mason Sings Encore Performance of Jule Styne Celebration at Birdland Photo
Photos: Karen Mason Sings Encore Performance of Jule Styne Celebration at Birdland
by Stephi Wild - Sep 18, 2024

Birdland presented the return of singer Karen Mason in an encore performance of “Just in Styne: Karen Sings Jule” on Monday, September 16. Check out photos here!
Photos: Netflix Debuts First Look for A MAN ON THE INSIDE Starring Ted Danson Photo
Photos: Netflix Debuts First Look for A MAN ON THE INSIDE Starring Ted Danson
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 26, 2024

Netflix has debuted a first look at A Man on the Inside (formerly known as A Classic Spy), a new comedy series from creator Mike Schur and starring Ted Danson. In the series, Charles (Danson), a retired man, gets a new lease on life when he answers an ad from a PI and becomes a mole in a secret investigation. Take a look at the new photos here!
Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of POOR YELLA REDNECKS at MTC Photo
Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of POOR YELLA REDNECKS at MTC
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 3, 2023

Take a look at the star-studded opening night of POOR YELLA REDNECKS at MTC.
HERE LIES LOVE SINGS THE SONGS OF J. OCONER, Linda Eder And More Next Week At 54 Belo Photo
HERE LIES LOVE SINGS THE SONGS OF J. OCONER, Linda Eder And More Next Week At 54 Below
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 7, 2023

Next week at 54 Below, the cast of 'Here Lies Love' will be performing the songs of J. Oconer Navar. Don't miss this incredible musical experience!
Norbert Leo Butz, Linda Eder, and More to Play 54 Below Next Month Photo
Norbert Leo Butz, Linda Eder, and More to Play 54 Below Next Month
by Blair Ingenthron - Sep 30, 2023

Check out the lineup of incredible performances at 54 Below this month!
Estelle Parsons, Rachel Dratch & John Cariani Join BROADWAY BOUND 4 at 54 Below Photo
Estelle Parsons, Rachel Dratch & John Cariani Join BROADWAY BOUND 4 at 54 Below
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 7, 2023

54 Below will be presenting the fourth edition of Broadway Bound: The Musicals That Never Came To Broadway on Friday, October 13th, at 7:00pm at 54 Below.
Review: Toasting The Tony Awards, BACKSTAGE BABBLE Gives 54 Below An Award-Worthy Nig Photo
Review: Toasting The Tony Awards, BACKSTAGE BABBLE Gives 54 Below An Award-Worthy Night
by Rob Lester - Aug 31, 2023

It's never too late to put the spotlight on the Tony Awards and people nominated for them. Read all about it at BroadwayWorld.com in the NYC cabaret section.
Video: Apple TV+ Shares STRANGE PLANET Adult Animated Series Trailer Based on Nathan Photo
Video: Apple TV+ Shares STRANGE PLANET Adult Animated Series Trailer Based on Nathan W. Pyle's Graphic Novel
by Michael Major - Jul 25, 2023

Voicing this world of beings are Tunde Adebimpe (“Rachel Getting Married”), Emmy Award nominee Demi Adejuyigbe (“The Amber Ruffin Show”), Lori Tan Chinn (“Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens”), Critics Choice Award nominee Danny Pudi (“Community”) and Emmy Award nominee Hannah Einbinder (“Hacks”). Watch the video trailer!
BACKSTAGE BABBLE, LANGDON ST. IVES: THE STEAMPUNK MUSICAL!, and More to Play 54 Below Photo
BACKSTAGE BABBLE, LANGDON ST. IVES: THE STEAMPUNK MUSICAL!, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 15, 2023

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club and 2022 Tony Awards Honoree for Excellence in the Theatre, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work.
Photos: Inside the JOY RIDE Premiere With Ashley Park, Stephanie Hsu, Daveed Diggs & Photo
Photos: Inside the JOY RIDE Premiere With Ashley Park, Stephanie Hsu, Daveed Diggs & More
by Michael Major - Jun 27, 2023

JOY RIDE stars Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu and Sabrina Wu were joined by their co-stars Annie Mumolo, Alexander Hodge, Baron Davis, Chris Pang, Daniel Dae Kim, David Denman, Debbie Fan, Lori Tan Chinn and Rohain Arora. Check out photos from the premiere now!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Lori Tan Chinn been in?

Lori Tan Chinn has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Lori Tan Chinn been in?

Lori Tan Chinn has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Lori Tan Chinn been nominated for?

and Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for South Pacific .

What awards has Lori Tan Chinn won?

Lori Tan Chinn won the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Resident Musical award at the Helen Hayes Awards for her role in South Pacific.

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